“There’s trouble heading our way”, said Imila and grabbed her spear.

Veduca, too, felt something powerful approaching them. It was clear that this force was one of the Divine Lord. Lodwin raised from his resting position as well, reaching for his sword.

They were still inside the old farmhouse on the outskirts of Eldebourg. The preparations for their departure had been almost finished. Only the provisions Liano had promised to bring that evening were missing.

“Could they have found us so soon?”, murmured Veduca to herself.

“Whom of us thought it wise to trust that boy?”, Imila asked angry. “We should’ve killed him.”

“They would’ve been upon us sooner than that”, she replied, frowning. “Besides, he did contact me about half an hour ago before you arrived here. He warned us that the Divine Lord knows we’re still close.”

“He knows!”, the former innkeeper screamed. “And you thought this wasn’t vital enough to tell me?! Do you wish to die?!”

“Hush now!”, Veduca replied angry. “I need to think!”

“Think?! Girl, get your head out of your ass and get going!”, she replied, equally angry and pulled her by the arm to her feet.

Unable to pull free of Imila’s surprisingly strong grasp, Veduca let herself be pulled towards the door of the old farmhouse. Lodwin followed with a certain urgency about him while carrying their meagre belongings.

Outside the farmhouse they found themselves on a wide open field with the edge of a dark forest close by. Eldebourg loomed some distance behind them on a hill, with the castle high above even the massive city wall. Still, a street was close by, onto which Imila pulled Veduca without showing any sign of letting go of her. The street itself lead directly towards one of the city gates in one direction and towards the forest in the other. But before they could move towards the forest, a loud commotion burst from the gate.

Shocked, Veduca immediately recognised Liano running towards them in blind panic along a young woman who looked so much like him, she could only be a sister. They were pursued by the Knight and Dark Priests of the Divine Lord. Despite being mounted on black horses, they didn’t seem too keen on catching up on Liano and his sister. Even more worrying was the fact the innkeeper did seem not to notice Veduca and the others, despite looking straight ahead at them.

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“Fool!”, shouted Imila and readied her spear, letting go of Veduca in the process. “Traitor!”

“No! Wait!”, Veduca shouted and stepped in front of her. “He’s under a spell! Can’t you see it?”

Before Imila could protest, both women were grabbed by Lodwin and pulled towards the forest. But this was just as futile as trying to fight. The Knight and the Dark Priests overtook Liano and his sister, while both Priests lifted them easily into their saddles. A few heartbeats later, Veduca and the others were surrounded by the Divine Lord's Minions.

“Halt!”, shouted the Knight, and pulled his battleaxe out of thin air.

“Miserable creature! Vile fiend!”, shouted Imila and pulled her spear in front of her in a defensive position. “If you think we won’t fight to the death, you’re mistaken!”

“Lay down your weapons, woman, neither you nor the witch are of any interest to our Lord”, the Knight said, bemused. “He only wished to take the knight.”

At this, Lodwin let out a low growl and unsheathed his sword. At this, the Knight gestured towards the Priests, who each immediately pulled Liano and his sister, who were both unconscious, up and held knives to their throats. The threat was obvious. Immediately, Veduca lowered her staff.

“Come with us without a fight and those two’ll remain alive”, said the Knight calm and collected.

At this Lodwin took a sharp breath and pensively sheathed his blade. Much to the dismay of Imila.

“Liano and whoever the damnable wench is have betrayed us!”, she shouted and didn’t lower her weapon. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about what happens to traitors!”

“Are you insane? They didn’t betray us!”, shouted Veduca and raised her staff towards her. “I won’t stand idle by and let you doom them!”

“They did lead this monster to us!”

“They were under a spell!”

“Cease”, said the Knight, in a commanding yet subdued tone. “The choice lies within your companion and him alone.”

“Lod…”, murmured Veduca and looked at him.

His face showed clear apprehension. It was apparent he wanted to fight, but at the same time, he knew what he couldn’t even hope to be fast enough to save Liano and his sister in time.

“You’re a wise man”, said the Knight with an audible smile. “Come along. Our Lord’s waiting.”

Then everything went fast.

The Knight was thrown from his horse by Azazel in his giant goat-form. A second later, the Priests let go of their hostages and moved to protect their superior. Veduca immediately recognised the opening her father gifted them. Without further ado, she used her magic on Liano and his sister to levitate them closer. Both Imila and Lodwin reacted and went to them to pick them up.

Azazel screamed in pain.

Torn between her father and getting everyone to safety, Veduca hesitated a second. Still, Imila didn’t waste any precious time and once more grabbed her by the wrist, despite carrying Liano’s sister already on her back.

Forcing herself to look ahead and to ignore her father’s screams, she used some of her magic to make them move faster towards the forest. Luckily, neither the Priests nor the Knight followed them, but this wasn’t enough to keep the tears from running down her cheeks.